Drive and Camping Safari 15 Day (NW)

Departure Dates: Please enquire for availability 074047 9123 or info@cairnstouristinformation.com.au

This company specialises in small group numbers (6 per vehicle) and seeing this remarkable region at at a more relaxed pace. Ideally you only travel for half a day and begin relaxing from lunch time onwards. This 15 day safari starts and ends in Cairns, your group remains with the same guides the whole time who are long term locals who really know the region. This is a camping tour but the tents are full size so you can stand up to full height in them and the beds are stretcher beds. The vehicles are specially designed so each seat is independent of other seats, this ensures you don't get movement disturbance from other passengers.

Your 15 Day Itinerary:

Day 1 - We start our journey by turning inland over the coastal range and onto the James Mulligan Highway before stopping at the Palmer River Roadhouse to stretch our legs and have lunch. History of the Palmer River Gold Fields that started in 1872. After lunch we journey to Quinkan Rock Art site at Laura. The Quinkan Rock Art sites are now listed by UNESCO as being amongst the top 10 Rock Art sites in the world. Experience a unique wildlife experience at our private overnight Cattle Station. OVERNIGHT AT PRIVATE CATTLE STATION  (D) * LUNCH WILL BE AT YOUR OWN COST AT PALMER RIVER.

Day 2 - Today we follow parts of the original Old Telegraph Track - one of the highlights of Cape York and is a great track for 4WD enthusiasts. We pass the memorial to “Toots”, a famous lady trucking character, have morning tea at Musgrave and stop at the beautiful Archer River for a sumptuous lunch before our river crossing .  We traverse open woodland country, pass huge termite mounds before arrival at the historical Moreton Telegraph Station. CAMPGROUND - MORETON STATION. (BLD)

Day 3 - Another exciting day of 4WDriving and creek crossings until we reach the Jardine River, named after pioneering explorers to the area Frank and Alexander Jardine. “The Jardine” is the largest river on the Cape York Peninsula and renowned for crocodiles. Later we stop for lunch and a swim in the crystal clear water at Fruit Bat Falls. CAMPGROUND - SEISIA. (BLD)

Day 4 - Today we visit a very special family who live on a stunning beautiful private island located in the Torres Strait. The owner has been taking over this legacy by maintaining this status of “pearl producer from the birth place of the cultured pearl". You will be taken on a tour of the Island's Pearl Farm. Lunch today under Palm Trees - such a wonderful day! PEARL FARM INCLUDED. CAMPGROUND - SEISA.  (BLD)

Day 5 -Today we visit the Famous Croc Tent and walk to the TIP. We will travel through the drier savannah woodlands which will change into dense rainforest before opening up at the deserted beaches at Australian's most northern point. After taking in the spectacular views of the Torres Straits and the surrounding beaches we will have lunch at Somerset Beach, which was the home and now resting place of Frank Jardine, visit these historic graves on the beach.   Dinner tonight will be at Loyalty Beach to relax and take in far north oceanside beauty. CAMPGROUND - SEISIA. (BL) * DINNER TONIGHT AT OWN EXPENSE  

Day 6 -We begin today by travelling to Thursday Island and Horn Island. Both Island tours have information and history of the past and the important part the Islands played in the war and keeping Australia safe. History of the early Pearling Luggers and the part they played while admiring the spectacular and breathtaking views of the Torres Straits and its turquoise waters. CAMPGROUND - SEISIA. (BLD)

Day 7 -This morning we head to Fruit Bat Falls for a wonderful swim in the crystal clear waters, which amazingly originates from Papua New Guinea. Also, today we enjoy some 4WD action, road conditions and weather permitting, arriving at Bramwell Station - Australia's most northern cattle station. CAMPGROUND - BRAMWELL STATION. (BLD)

Day 8 -We depart early, eventually onto better roads, arriving about lunchtime in Weipa. This afternoon there is an optional tour of Bauxite Mine which put Weipa on the map. ( MINE TOUR IS AT YOUR OWN COST). CAMPGROUND - WEIPA, (BL) SUBSIDISED DINNER AT $45.00P/PERSON OWN COST - 3 COURSE MEAL WITH PRIVATE CHEF

Day 9 -This morning we move East through cattle country. We travel through the largest area of tropical lowland rainforest remaining in Australia, crossing rivers before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozers Gap. This place is truly wonderful with rare fauna and flora, looking for the famous Palm Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots & Green Pythons. CAMPGROUND - COOKS HUT (HYBRID TOILET). (BLD)

Day 10 -Today your Guide will take you on a day of adventures where you will travel to Chilli Beach which is truly stunning with its wonderful ocean and landscapes. We also visit significant historical sites in the area from the gold times of the 1930's and the Airfield at Iron Range. On about 18th April 1942 Walter Maierersperger, the Commanding Officer of 33 Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group USAAC carried out an aerial reconnaissance flight over the Iron Range area. Lunch today will be at the famous Portland Roads Locals Cafe overlooking the sea with wonderful home cooked food including fresh fish on the menu. Then after lunch we move back towards the Batavia Goldfields and the Chuulangun homelands. This is home to the Traditional Custodians, the clan group of the Kuki"Yu northern Karrju, who belong to the highlands. Our homelands are centre of the Wenlock and Pascoe River and encompass some 840,000 hectares. Chuulangun homeland operate a serviced campground for visitors to their land and area. CAMPGROUND - CHUULANGUN. (BD) LUNCH TODAY AT YOUR OWN COST

Day 11 - Today we travel to Coen where you can visit the Coen Historical Museum and will be treated to lunch on the banks of the Coen River. Tonight we will stay at our beautiful private cattle station and try a hand at spotting unique treetop wildlife. CAMPGROUND - PRIVATE CATTLE STATION. (BLD)

Day 12 -Today we travel through Lakefield National Park on the same tracks as the mounted mail men did. This National Park is filled with Billabongs and river systems alive with wildlife. CAMPGROUND - KALPOWER BUSH CAMP. (BLD).

Day 13 -Leaving Kalpower, we visit old Laura Homestead then travel down the infamous Battle Camp Road. Here you will marvel at this wildness and the views of the Laura escarpments, sighting signs of the old railway line that travelled from Cooktown to the Palmer River Goldfields. We travel onto the area of Hope Vale then on to Cooktown for dinner at the local icon; The Sovereign Hotel. CAMPGROUND - ENDEAVOUR FALLS. (BL). DINNER TONIGHT AT OWN EXPENSE

Day 14 -  Your morning today is spent in historical Cooktown which became a thriving port during the gold rush era. Cooktown is a region rich with history.  Captain James Cook spent substantial time here by accident in 1770 after the HMS Endeavour ran into reef and the ship was sailed into the endeavour river for repair.  Cooktown was founded in 1873 as a port for the Palmer River Goldfields and has a colourful history of settlement and aboriginal culture. You may sit back and enjoy wonderful stories of history and aboriginal culture of this region as your guide takes a step back in time and helps you to understand the regions colourful past.  We travel in the afternoon via Black Mountain and the famous Bloomfield track (weather and roads permitting). We visit the old historical Lion's Den Hotel for a photo opportunity and a stop for lunch will be spent at Bloomfield, where the locals go.  We travel through untouched rainforest on to Bloomfield Falls before we start the climb through the Daintree Ranges, on route to our magnificent beachside location.  Tonight, is an evening in the heart of the rainforest in Cape Tribulation in stunning rustic lodges, part of the World Heritage listed; Daintree National Park.  –You will be treated to a special delicious meal with the rainforest as your backdrop and a break from the on-road cooking. (BLD) RUSTIC LODGE – CAPE TRIBULATION  

Day 15 - We get up early to experience a rainforest interpretation walk with our guide and continue to our next stop at the Daintree Coopers River for our Crocodile-spotting cruise looking for Estuarine Crocodiles and the rare Cassowary. Lunch today will be at one of the oldest established restaurant of the Daintree area, where the locals eat.   Here they blend ice cream with exotic and tropical fruits grown on the farm.  Enjoy the stunning views of the mountains in the background as we head to a location in the National Park where we see rescue wallabies and even get the opportunity to hand feed them as a wonderful Australian wildlife experience.   We make our way to the famous Daintree Ice Creamery (ice cream at own cost) and continue down the Alexander Range, across the Daintree River via the Cable Ferry, next arriving at Mossman Gorge where an Aboriginal Guide will take you on Bush Tucker Rainforest Walk. At end of your tour will be heading south to Cairns which brings us to the end of your North West Cape York  tour. CROC CRUISE AND ICE CREAM AT YOUR OWN COST. (B) LUNCH TODAY IS AT OWN EXPENSE

PAYMENT & BOOKING CONDITIONS:  Deposits - Bookings require a 35% deposit and a copy of the booking form to be submitted in order to confirm the booking. The payment of deposit by and/or on behalf of any person constitutes the full agreement with and the acceptance of the terms and conditions as set forth in this document. Final Payment is due 65 days prior to departure. If these conditions are not met the operator may terminate the booking. Whilst prices could be subject to change without notice, upon final payment tour fares are fixed and not subject to change. For tours departing in less than 60 days, full and immediate payment is required. All fares are shown in Australian currency.

CANCELLATION FEES

Bookings require a 35% deposit and final payment 65 days prior to departure. Cancellations 60 days or more before the tour date are fully refunded less non-refundable deposit.  Cancellations made 59 - 51 days prior to tour departure will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of full tour cost. Cancellations made 50 days or less before departure date will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of full tour cost. As this tour is accessing remote areas, the tour itinerary may change due to weather and road conditions and this is the decision of the operator. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND all attending passengers have their own travel insurance

WHAT'S INCLUDED: Meals, except where otherwise stated. National Park fees, Camping fees, Ferry transfers, Thursday Island tour and Horn Island. Tent, high density foam mattress, camp stretchers and sleeping bag are provided, however you may prefer to use your sleeping bag. Pillows are provided.